MYSTERY WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11932, 12 September 1924, Page 4

MYSTERY WOMEN

“WE GET PAID, WIN OR LOSE.” HELPING POLICE ON LIQUOR RAIDS. Felice methods which have been operating in Sidney for some time have caused a great deal of discussion on the employment of women in the detection of alleged 1 “sly-grog” sellers. Seldom does a month pass without some story of a gay Lothario of the force having spun a steel web around such and such a cafe. In the adventure he is generally assisted by a fair lady of mystery, whose dashing spirit and sparkling eyes are only equalled by the bubbling champagne purchased with marked money. But the story only comes out in the Police Court, and all the romance is lost in such a cold, hard atmosphere. Police headquarters has no official women sleuths for work of this nature, but men on the detection work can find a dozen or more if the necessity arises for their use. Several of them join in because they love something thrilling; others there are, of course, who bring information and work for what they can get out of it. There is one constable whose fiancee accompanies him occasionally, no doubt for sheer enjoyment, and another whose lady friend also goes along for the same reason. They know there is hound to be more excitement in,the excursion than mere dancing. Women police are never used for such. They are too well known, or perhaps they are not chic enough for such a delicate mission. Several months ago a dancing ship came under notice. Two constables in .fancy dress, with two young women likewise arrayed, went, aboard, and after having what appeared to ho an enjoyable time, nearly caused a wreck when they confiscated liquor and charged their genial host. An idea, of the activities in Sydney may be gauged from the fact that Sergeant A. Russell" and a constable, who work only a divisiop, brought in £IOOO in fines for sly-grog selling alone. That, of course, was not brought about solely with the use of women. The latter are used only on special occasions, such as for cafes and dance halls. For hotels they are never utilised. At the Appeal Court last week one of these worr.cn, in telling her story, said. “We drank vvhat ■ we can get —ben we axe on this work. We are

not paid by results; we get paid win or lose.” . They do not receive a grea t deal above out-of-pocket expenses. Few of them aro called upon to give evidence, because many of the defendants pleaded guilty, and evert if not there is the second constable’s testimony in support of his comrade. So tho "skirmishing goes on. Whether the employment- of women, for such work meets everyone's taste is doubtful/ At any rate, it. Ecctns to have l.een eminently successful up to date.